Resilient connection



N. G. ALMALMQUIST RESILIENT CONNECTION Filed Nov. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fl/ F19,

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July 13, 1937. N. G. A. MALMQUIST 2,086,720

RESIL NNNNNNNNNNNN ON Filed Nov. 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 13, 1937 o r 2,086,720

UNITED STATES, PATENT oFFic RESILIENT CONNECTION I Nils Gunnar August Malmquist, Malmo, Sweden, assignor to SvenskaAktiebolaget Bromsregulator, Malrno, Sweden, a corporationof Sweden Application November as, 1934, Serial No. 755,195 9 Claims. (01. 295-41) This, invention relates to resilient connections therewith. The rim I is provided with, orseated "of the kind comprising a number: of flexible on, an annular radial flange'4, and ,on opposite blocks of vulcanized rubber or equivalent:-ma-= sides of the said flange 4 and axially spaced terial forming transverse supporting elements therefromthere are twolannular radial flanges between relatively-movable parts disposedin sub,--- .5' and 6 carried on the hub' 2. Preferably both 5 stantially parallel planes. More particularly, the the flanges 5 and Son the hub 2 arezdetachably invention relates to resilient connections of this secured thereto by means of attaching bolts I as. character, in which each of said'blocks has relashown,-although one of said flanges mightbe in-, tively short end portions fitting normally'coaxial tegral with the hub 2, if desired. The flanges recesses in the facing sides of the relatively mov- 5' and 6 are also attached to each other near 10 able parts and a relatively extended interme theirouter edges by means of bolts 8. provided diate portion, and in which each of said blocks with collars 8a abutting the inner sides of the is disposed under axialcornpression between the flanges, whereby the bo1ts.8 at the same time relatively-movable parts. As shown bywayof serve as distance pieces or spacers between the l" example, said connections are between axially flanges 5 and 6. The flange 4 is provided with spaced overlapping flanges on the hub and rim holes 9 for the bolts 8, the holes 9 being of such. memberof a wheel, for instance a street or railadiameter as to allow for relative movement 01' Way car wheel, for cushioning the rim against the rim and hub of the wheel inall radial dithe hubof the wheel; I wish it to be understood, rections. j 1 however, that theinvention is not limited to A'series of recesses" I0 is formed in each side 20 such use, since the invention may be used also of the flange 4 and in'the ,facing sides of the for other practical purposes such as, for examflanges 5 and 6, and aseries of flexibler-rubber ple, resiliently suspending the body, or the enblocks H, preferably of circular cross'section, is gine of acar in-its base frame. disposed between each of theflanges 5 and 6 and The inventionhas for its main object to prethe intermediate flange 4, each block it having 25 serve the life of the rubber blocks and to ensure one end seated in a recess lllin the flange 4 and an improved cushioningeffect thereof. Another the other end in a normallycoaxial recess 10 object of the invention, especially, when used for in the other flange 5 or 6 respectively so that the cushioning the rim of a wheel against the hub, undeflected axes of the blocks it are parallel thereof, is to facilitate assembling and dismanto the axes of the rim and the hub of the wheel. 30

tling of the wheel for inspection and renewal The rubber blocks H form the :solesupporting of the rubber blocks, and generally to provide medium between the hub and rim portions of the a resilient wheelwhichis relatively easy and wheel for supporting the. hub portion in such inexpensive to keepin repair; a a Way as to give freedom of the rim portion to For a. full understanding of the invention, move relatively to the hub portion in the plane and the advantages gained thereby, reference ofthe wheel, while lateral displacement is limis to be had to the accompanying drawings .in ited by stops," for instance such as shown at H, which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a car wheel leaving but a relatively small clearance in the according to a preferred embodiment of the inaxial direction between the flanges 5 and 6 on o vention, the section being substantially on line the hub andthe flange4 on the rimfof the wheel. 1-1 of Fig, 3.v Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the In the assembled wheel theblocks H are under wheel. Fig. 3 is a similar ,side elevation of the an axial compression which is of such'an order wheel, wherein the outer flange on the inner as to prevent the rubber blocks from being'subwheel body is removed and the attaching bolts jected to any tension strain under the action are shownin section. Figs. 4 and 5 are fragof the load for whichthe wheel is constructed. 5 mental views on a larger scale oi one of the The compression also serves the purpose of fasrubber blocks in free and axially compressed tening the ends ofthe blocks in their seats in state respectively, the adjacent portions of the the sides of the flanges 4, 5 and 6 so as to prerelatively movable parts having the recessesreventrubbing or frictional motion of the rubber so ceiving the end portions of the block being shown blocks against the walls of their seats under the in section. Fig. 6 illustrates in detail an .arshearing and bending stresses to which the blocks resting bolt. are subjected when the wheel is under load. To

Inthe drawings l. indicates the rim and 2 the this end the blocks II in their free or uncom inner body or hub-of the wheelwhich in Fig. 1 pressed state shown in Fig. 4 are of such a length ,is shown to be securedto an axle 3 so asto turn that, when the wheel is assembled, they are compressed in the axial direction to such a degree that the axial pressure on each block exceeds, preferably by three times or more, the stress acting in the plane of. the wheel, which the block has to transfer between the rim and the hub of the wheel when the wheel is under the full load for which it is designed. If, for instance, the wheel is designed for a load of 5000 kg. and-has 2O blockseach block should be under an axial compression of say 750 kg. Obviously this axial compression of the blocks H is obtained by tighicningthe bolts '1 and 8, when assembling the wheel, until the outer flanges or side disks 5 and 6 of the wheel are in place on the predetermined axial distance from each other. i The blocks II have relatively short end portions Ha fitting the recesses ID and a relatively extended intermediate portion lib diminishing in cross section from both ends towards the middle of the block. Preferably the gencratrix of the intermediate portion lib of the block, in the free or uncompressed state thereof shown in Fig. 4 has a radius R which is less than the axial length ofv the intermediate portion ill) of the block and greater, preferably but slightly greater than half the said axial length. The recesses II] have a shape corresponding to the shape of the end portions Ha of the block, which preferably have a slight taper towards their free ends. In

the free or uncompressed state of theblocks the end portions Ila, have a relatively loose fit in the recesses 10, and when compressed as above described the blocks, including the end portions Ila thereof, are radially expanded, and through this expansion the said end portions Ha are pressed firmly against the walls of the recesses l so that the end portions Ha of the blocks, when the wheel is assembled, are firmly and securely fastened in the recesses ID solely by means of the said radial expansion of the blocks. Due to this fastening of the rubber blocks and due to the form given to them as hereinbefore described and shown on the drawings, rubbing or frictional motion of the rubber blocks against the metal flanges 4, and 6, or of-one portion of the rubber block against another portion thereof, in the use of the wheel is prevented as far as possible, whereby the life of the rubber, which otherwise is soon worn out through such rubbing or friction, is preserved.

Rubber'is a material capable of withstanding high compressive forces but liable to get damaged by tension strains and friction, and the invention is especially designed with a view to preserve, as far as possible, all the rubber in the resilient rubber block from such tension strainsand friction as would result in the rubber blocksoon being damaged or worn out. While axial compression of the block may be considered, per se, as an obvious and known precaution against the rubber block being subjectedto excessive tension strains when the block is deflected under the shearing and bending stresses to which it is subjected in use, I have discovered that, in order toobtain long life of the rubber. block, it is essential not only to make use of axial compression of the block but to make use of an axial compression of such a high order as hereinbefore described and at the same time to give the block such ashape in its free or uncompressed state that the generatrix of the intermediate portion of the block, the surface of which is free to undergo elastic changes of shape, is concave not only in the free or uncompressed state of the block but also in the axially compressed state and under all normal working conditions of the block. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 on the drawings, illustrating the block II in its free or uncompressed and axially compressed state, respectively it is to be noted that, due to the concave shape of the generatrix of the intermediate portion lib of the block, the length of this generatrix is substantially shortened by the axial compression of the block. Thissubstantial shortening of the generatrix of the intermediate portion 1 of the block by the axial compression thereof compensates, in part at least, the increase of the circumferential or net surface of the intermediate portion of the block, which is caused by the increase of the circumference of the said surface due to the radial expansionrof the block. which is caused by the axial compression thereof. I have found that in this way all parts of said surface are effectively preserved from being tensioncd or stretched through the axial compression of the block, and due to the fact that the generatrix of the intermediate portion of the block, as a result of the shape of the block and the high axial compression thereof, is so much shorter in the compressed than in the uncompressed state of the block that any lengthening of the generatrix due'todeflection of the block under normal working conditions will be insufficient for restoring the length of the generatrix to its value in the uncompressed or free state of theblock, all parts of the surface of the intermediate portion of the block are effectively preserved from being tensioned or stretched also under the action of such deflection of the block. Further, due to the fact that'the generatrix of the intermediate portion llb of the block at each end thereof meets the plane of the inner edge of the end portion 9a of the block under an angle on (Figs. 4 and 5) which is acute not only in the uncompressed state of the block butv also in the axially compressed state of the block and under all normal working conditions of the block, the surface of the intermediate portion of the rubberblock is preserved from creasing and cracking adjacent the inner edges of the end portions Ha of the block.

When the wheel is to be used under such conditions as require an electric connection between the hub and rim of the wheel, one or more ele'ctrio conductors l3 are provided between the intermediate flange 4 and the flange 6. In order to facilitate assembling and disjoining of the wheel this conductor I3 has one of its ends attached to the inner side ofthe flangenG by means of a screw I4 or the like and passes through an aperture IS in the flange 4 and'is attached to the side thereof facing the flange 5'by means of a screw I 6 or the like. Arranged in this way the'conductor or cable l3 will be subjected to the smallest possible deflection under the action of centrifugal force and the relative movements be tween the hub and rim of the wheel.

The wheel is assembled in the following manner. The flange 6 is secured to the hub 2 by means of a number of screws l1 and placed in a horizontal position with the side having the recesses I0 turned upwards. Then the rubber blocks ll of one of the series thereof are placed loosely in the recesses ID in the flange 6, and one end of the cable I3 is secured by means of the screw I 4. Then the flange 4 carrying the rim I is placed on the said series of rubberblocksso that the upper ends thereof enter the recesses III in the lower side of the flange 4, and the cable I3 is passed through the aperture 15, the other 6 are arrested in relation mentioned rubborbloclzsso that the upper vided with recesses for the endof the cable being secured to the upper side of the flange 4 by means of 'thescrew 16 The bolts 8 having been attachedtothe flange B, or

tutheflahg 5, and the rubber blocks ll of the other series of such blocks having been placed loosely in the recesses lilin the upper side of the flange 4, now the flange 5 is placed ends thereof enter the recesses intheflange 5, where after also the bolts of all the bolts 1 and 8 are tightened. Disjoining of the wheel is performed in the reverse manner. l

When re-turning of the tread surface of the rim 1 the screws l threaded holes for them in the flange B are closed l side of the flange 5 with short screw .p1ugs. Secured to'the outer is a collar is or the like with which the work piece driver of theflathe'may'be engaged inthe turning operation.

From the above description, taken in connec-' tion with the drawings, it will be apparent that I have provided aconstruction by which disjoining and assembling of the resilient connection for inspection and for renewal of the rubber blocks'canbe performed in a'relatively simple manner, whiletherubber blocks in the assembled construction due to the high axial compression andto themanner of fastening them, and also due to the shape given to them, are preserved from being subjected to any tension strain and from being subjected to detrimental rubbing or friction although the intermediate portion of the rubber blocks, extending between the firmly I and securely fastened end'po'rtions of the rubber blocks, have freedom of bending in an elastic shallow recesses in their directions.

desire to secure by manner in all radial What I claim and Patent is:

1. A resilient wheel having a hub member and a rim member, overlapping flanges on said members axially spaced from one another and having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially facing sides, flexible rubber blocks disposed between said flanges and insaid recesses, means to exert an axial com- Letters pressicn on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under the full load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said blocks in said shallow recesses and forming the sole means to hold said parts assembled and the periphery of said blocks having acircumferential concave surface therein of sufficient depthso that under all conditions of compression and load for Y which the wheel was designed said surface will retain its concave contour.

,2. A resilient wheel having ahub member and a rim member, two outer radial flanges on one of said members,. an intermediate radial flange on the other of said members, said flanges overlapping each other and being axially spaced from one'another and having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially shallow recesses in their.

facing sides, flexible rubber blocks disposed in on the last I are applied, and the nuts a rim member, overlapping shallow recesses in rubber blocks disposed between said flanges and said recesses and between said intermediate flange and each of said outer flanges, means to exert an axial compression on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under the full load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said blocks in said shallow recesses and forming the sole means to hold said parts as sembled and the periphery a circumferential concave surface therein of sufficient depth so that under all conditions of com-. pression and load for which the wheel was designed said suriace will retain its concave con-' tour.

3.' A resilient-wheel having a hub member and a rim member, overlapping flanges on said members axially spaced from one another and having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially shallow recesses in their facing sides, flexible rubber blocks disposed between said flanges and in said recesses, means to exert an axial compression on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under thefull load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said blocks in. said shallow recesses and forming the sole means to hold said parts assembled, the periphery of said blocks having a circumferen tial concave surface therein of sufficient depth so that under all conditions of compression and load for which the'wheel was designed said surface will retain its concave contourand said blocks having relatively short end portions seating loosely in said recesses in the uncompressed state, of the blocks and being firmly fixed therein by radial expansion when said blocks are axially compressed in assembling the wheel.

4.1A'resilient wheel having a hub member and a rim member, overlapping flanges on said mem bers axially spaced from one another and having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially shallow recesses in their facing sides, flexible rubber blocks disposed between said flanges and in said recesses, means to exert an axial com pression on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under the full load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said blocks in said shallow recesses and forming the sole means to hold said parts assembled, the periphery of said blocks having a circumferential concave surface therein of suflicient depth so that under all conditions of compression and load for which the wheel was designed said surface will retain its concave contour, and said concave surface having a cross sectional transverse radius less than the width of said surface and greater than one half said width.

5. A resilient wheel having a hub member and flanges on said members axially spaced from one another and having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially their facing sides, flexible in said recesses, means to exert an axial compression on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under the full load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said blocks in said shallow recesses and form-' ing the sole means to hold said parts assembled, the periphery of said blocks having a circumferential concave surface therein of suflicient depth so that under all conditions of compression and load for which the wheel was designed said surface will retain its concave contour, and said rubber blocks being under an axial compression exceeding three times the shearing stress to which said blocks are subjected under of said blocks having the full load for which the wheel was designed.

67 A resilient wheel having a hub member and a rim member, two outer annular and radial flanges detachably secured to said hub member in axially spaced relation to each other, an intermediate annular and radial flange secured to said rim member and projecting inwardly between said outer flanges and spaced therefrom, said outer and intermediate flanges having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially shallow recesses in their facing sides, flexible rubber blocks disposed between said flanges and in said recesses, means to exert an axial compression on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under the full load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said blocks in said shallow recesses and forming the sole means to hold said parts assembled, the periphery of said blocks having a circumferential concave surface therein of sufiicient depth so that under all conditions of compression and load for which the wheel was designed said surface will retain its concave contour, and said blocks having tapered end portions seating loosely in said recesses in the uncompressed state of the blocks and being firmly fixed therein by radial expansion when said blocks are axially compressed in assembling the wheel.

7. A resilient wheel having a hub member and a rim member, overlapping flanges on said members axially spaced from one another and having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially shallow recesses in their facing sides, flexible rubber blocks disposed between said flanges and in said recesses, means to exert an axial compression on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under the full load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said blocks in said shallow recesses and forming the sole means to hold said parts assembled, the periphery of said blocks having a circumferential concave surface therein of sufficient depth so that under all conditions of compression and load for which the wheel was designed said surface will retain its concave contour, and means for electrically flexibly connecting said overlapping flanges.

8. A resilient wheel as set forth in claim 2,

in which the intermediate flange is electrically connected to one of the outer flanges by means of a flexible conductor having one of its ends attached to the inner side of said outer flange and passing through an aperture in the intermediate flange and having its other end detachably secured to the side of the intermediate flange facing the other outer flange, the latter being detachably secured in place by means of attaching bolts. v

9. A resilient wheel having a hub member and a rim member, overlapping flanges on said members axiallyspaced from one another and having a plurality of normally coaxial substantially shallow recesses in their facing sides, flexible disc-shaped rubber blocks of circular cross section disposed between said flanges and having relatively short end portions disposed in said recesses, means to exert an axial compression on said blocks greater than the shearing stress when the wheel is under the full load for which it was designed to thereby maintain said. blocks in said shallow recesses and forming the sole means to hold said parts assembled and the periphery of said blocks having a circumferential concave surface therein of sufficient depth so that under all conditions of compression and load for which the wheel was designed-said surface will retain its concave contour.

NILS GUNNAR AUGUST MALMQUIS'I'. 

